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Page 284
of her beside. He speaks well of her always, although he knows her failings."
"Now I can understand how he loves the king. He has a disordered brain. But what of Sir Peter?"
"He could not avoid me," Ian said slowly as he steered Alinor toward the bed, "but I learned no more than we both guessed at the swearing. Something has made Sir Peter very, very uneasy. Perhaps it is only that something is brewing in Wales, and if Pembroke goes to Ireland, a strong hand will be lifted from the cover of that bubbling pot. It may not be all spite that made the king deny Pembroke's desire to go to Ireland. Even though he is stripped of all authority, his presence makes men think twice about creating a disturbance."
"Sir Peter heard of that plan?"
"Not from me or Salisbury or Pembroke, but Oxford's tongue can run away with him once it is oiled by a little wine. Moreover, Llewelyn might well have told him for his own purposes."
"But Lord Llewelyn is very fond of you. And you cannot tell me he has a loose tongue."
"Not without purpose, no. Get into bed, Alinor. It is cold."
Alinor cocked her head at him. "Ian, I want to hear the end of this tale of Sir Peter and Lord Llewelyn and Wales, and if we get into bed, we will stop talking."
He laughed, pushed her into the bed, and got in beside her. "I am not trying to divert you. The taleif it is a true thing, and not of my imaginingis quickly told. Llewelyn would think it no hurt to me if one of your castellans should try to shake loose your hold when Pembroke is no longer there. Whether Sir Peter is so much a fool as to think I would not come and settle with himwith or without Pembroke's assistanceI do not know, but doubtless what Llewelyn hopes is that Sir Peter will appeal to Lord Gwenwynwyn for support, offering to do him homage and be his man instead of yours. That would give Llewelyn an excuse to rush to

 
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